Association of Fundraising Professionals
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
MINISTRY SUMMARY
The Dream Center was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son, Pastor Matthew Barnett, later joined in leadership by Pastor Caroline Barnett. What began as a small outreach to a struggling Los Angeles neighborhood has grown into a global movement of compassion and transformation. For more than 30 years, the Dream Center has been a faith-based charitable organization committed to "finding and filling the needs" of individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking. Every day, lives are restored through innovative residential programs, community outreach, education, workforce development, and leadership training. The Dream Center’s mission is simple yet profound: to connect broken people to a community of support by offering free resources and services that meet immediate needs while also addressing long‑term restoration. Rooted in the vision of its founders, the Dream Center continues to be a lighthouse of hope for Los Angeles and a model replicated by churches and nonprofits across the nation and the world.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO) is a senior executive responsible for leading and integrating all aspects of fundraising, marketing, communications, and donor relations for the Dream Center Los Angeles. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CDCO will design and execute comprehensive strategies that significantly increase philanthropic revenue, expand the Dream Center’s visibility, and strengthen relationships with donors, partners, and the broader community. The ideal candidate is a visionary fundraiser and communicator with proven experience in major gift cultivation, brand development, digital strategy, and community engagement at a large, complex nonprofit. This highly visible leadership role requires exceptional creativity, strategic agility, and deep commitment to advancing the Dream Center’s mission of "finding a need and filling it, finding a hurt and healing it."
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Fundraising & Development
Lead all philanthropic initiatives, ensuring growth across diverse revenue streams: individual donors, foundations, corporations, government, and churches.
Drive major and legacy giving, including cultivation of high‑net‑worth individuals, planned giving programs, and the development of an organizational endowment.
Direct foundation and government grant writing, submission, and reporting processes.
Provide strategic leadership for signature fundraising events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor engagement strategies.
Oversee facility tours and donor experiences, ensuring they inspire generosity and deepen long‑term commitment to the Dream Center.
Marketing, Communications & Media
Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that elevates the Dream Center’s visibility and strengthens its brand nationally.
Oversee media, video, and graphic design functions to produce compelling content that communicates impact.
Lead digital engagement strategy, including social media, website, and email campaigns, ensuring consistent storytelling and donor engagement.
Oversee all organizational fundraising related events, publications, and communications to ensure excellence, consistency, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission and brand.
Serve as the primary architect for the Dream Center’s narrative, producing communications that inspire, inform, and mobilize donors, partners, and the public.
Partnership Development
Cultivate and expand relationships with churches, corporations, and civic partners, building broad coalitions of support.
Represent the Dream Center in the community and in government relations, advocating for the organization’s mission and securing collaborative partnerships.
Engage the Board of Directors and Development Committee in fundraising and communications strategies, leveraging their networks and expertise.
Leadership & Management
Build and lead a high‑performing Development and Communications team, currently comprised of 10–12 staff members across fundraising, communications, marketing, and media.
Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems to ensure the success of all development and communications initiatives.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to staff, fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission.
Foster a collaborative culture of innovation, excellence, and faith‑driven service.
QUALIFICATIONS Education
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
Experience
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, communications, or marketing at a large nonprofit organization.
Proven track record in major donor cultivation, capital campaigns, foundation and government grant funding, and event‑based fundraising.
Demonstrated success in marketing and communications leadership, including digital and social media strategy.
Experience managing multi‑disciplinary teams and vendors (graphic design, video, PR).
Strong network in corporate, foundation, and/or faith‑based communities is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
Exceptional ability to inspire generosity and build lasting donor relationships.
Expertise in fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and legacy/endowment development.
Strong communication, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Experience leveraging social media, marketing, and media production for nonprofit growth.
A servant leader with humility, integrity, and passion for the Dream Center’s mission.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary range: $150,000 – $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and support resources aligned with faith‑based values. This is a full‑time position based at the Dream Center headquarters in Los Angeles, CA.
HOW TO APPLY Please send all applications, emails, and inquiries to Liana Garcia at
hr@dreamcenter.org
or 213-273-7018.
Required Materials
Cover Letter — Describe your interest in the role, your alignment with the Dream Center’s mission, and your experience in people & culture leadership. Please also share how your personal faith and servant‑leadership philosophy align with the Dream Center.
Resume / CV — Detail your professional experience, education, and relevant accomplishments.
Optional but Strongly Encouraged Materials
Writing / Communications Sample – One to two examples (e.g., donor appeal, press release, impact report excerpt, social media campaign, or grant narrative) that demonstrate fundraising and communication skills.
Fundraising Portfolio or Summary – Brief highlights of fundraising results (e.g., major gifts secured, campaign leadership, grant successes, event revenue, or other measurable outcomes) that demonstrate a proven track record.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Dream Center was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son, Pastor Matthew Barnett, later joined in leadership by Pastor Caroline Barnett. What began as a small outreach to a struggling Los Angeles neighborhood has grown into a global movement of compassion and transformation. For more than 30 years, the Dream Center has been a faith-based charitable organization committed to "finding and filling the needs" of individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking. Every day, lives are restored through innovative residential programs, community outreach, education, workforce development, and leadership training. The Dream Center’s mission is simple yet profound: to connect broken people to a community of support by offering free resources and services that meet immediate needs while also addressing long‑term restoration. Rooted in the vision of its founders, the Dream Center continues to be a lighthouse of hope for Los Angeles and a model replicated by churches and nonprofits across the nation and the world.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO) is a senior executive responsible for leading and integrating all aspects of fundraising, marketing, communications, and donor relations for the Dream Center Los Angeles. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CDCO will design and execute comprehensive strategies that significantly increase philanthropic revenue, expand the Dream Center’s visibility, and strengthen relationships with donors, partners, and the broader community. The ideal candidate is a visionary fundraiser and communicator with proven experience in major gift cultivation, brand development, digital strategy, and community engagement at a large, complex nonprofit. This highly visible leadership role requires exceptional creativity, strategic agility, and deep commitment to advancing the Dream Center’s mission of "finding a need and filling it, finding a hurt and healing it."
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Fundraising & Development
Lead all philanthropic initiatives, ensuring growth across diverse revenue streams: individual donors, foundations, corporations, government, and churches.
Drive major and legacy giving, including cultivation of high‑net‑worth individuals, planned giving programs, and the development of an organizational endowment.
Direct foundation and government grant writing, submission, and reporting processes.
Provide strategic leadership for signature fundraising events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor engagement strategies.
Oversee facility tours and donor experiences, ensuring they inspire generosity and deepen long‑term commitment to the Dream Center.
Marketing, Communications & Media
Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that elevates the Dream Center’s visibility and strengthens its brand nationally.
Oversee media, video, and graphic design functions to produce compelling content that communicates impact.
Lead digital engagement strategy, including social media, website, and email campaigns, ensuring consistent storytelling and donor engagement.
Oversee all organizational fundraising related events, publications, and communications to ensure excellence, consistency, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission and brand.
Serve as the primary architect for the Dream Center’s narrative, producing communications that inspire, inform, and mobilize donors, partners, and the public.
Partnership Development
Cultivate and expand relationships with churches, corporations, and civic partners, building broad coalitions of support.
Represent the Dream Center in the community and in government relations, advocating for the organization’s mission and securing collaborative partnerships.
Engage the Board of Directors and Development Committee in fundraising and communications strategies, leveraging their networks and expertise.
Leadership & Management
Build and lead a high‑performing Development and Communications team, currently comprised of 10–12 staff members across fundraising, communications, marketing, and media.
Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems to ensure the success of all development and communications initiatives.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to staff, fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission.
Foster a collaborative culture of innovation, excellence, and faith‑driven service.
QUALIFICATIONS Education
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
Experience
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, communications, or marketing at a large nonprofit organization.
Proven track record in major donor cultivation, capital campaigns, foundation and government grant funding, and event‑based fundraising.
Demonstrated success in marketing and communications leadership, including digital and social media strategy.
Experience managing multi‑disciplinary teams and vendors (graphic design, video, PR).
Strong network in corporate, foundation, and/or faith‑based communities is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
Exceptional ability to inspire generosity and build lasting donor relationships.
Expertise in fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and legacy/endowment development.
Strong communication, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Experience leveraging social media, marketing, and media production for nonprofit growth.
A servant leader with humility, integrity, and passion for the Dream Center’s mission.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary range: $150,000 – $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and support resources aligned with faith‑based values. This is a full‑time position based at the Dream Center headquarters in Los Angeles, CA.
HOW TO APPLY Please send all applications, emails, and inquiries to Liana Garcia at
hr@dreamcenter.org
or 213-273-7018.
Required Materials
Cover Letter — Describe your interest in the role, your alignment with the Dream Center’s mission, and your experience in people & culture leadership. Please also share how your personal faith and servant‑leadership philosophy align with the Dream Center.
Resume / CV — Detail your professional experience, education, and relevant accomplishments.
Optional but Strongly Encouraged Materials
Writing / Communications Sample – One to two examples (e.g., donor appeal, press release, impact report excerpt, social media campaign, or grant narrative) that demonstrate fundraising and communication skills.
Fundraising Portfolio or Summary – Brief highlights of fundraising results (e.g., major gifts secured, campaign leadership, grant successes, event revenue, or other measurable outcomes) that demonstrate a proven track record.
#J-18808-Ljbffr